The night that saw magic thru music

KATHMANDU, July 13: “It was more than a decade ago when I worked together with Nhyoo for two of my Newari songs. It’s absolutely fascinating to see him have the same energy and still creating magic through his music,” recalled veteran singer Prem Dhoj Pradhan at the live concert organized by SAC Music to celebrate the 25 years of musical journey of music composer Nhyoo Bajracharya. It was held at Nepal Academy Hall last Saturday evening. “His compositions have always been influential, and after Gopal Yonjan and Nati Kaji, if there’s any music composer who can do justice to modern music in Nepal, it surely has to be him,” he complimented.[break]

Prominent lyricist and poet Rajendra Thapa found the Saturday night’s concert equally mesmerizing. However, he felt that Nhyoo could not deliver the best out of him.

He said, “Having worked with him for long, I know what Nhyoo Bajracharya’s calibers are. He’s not just a fabulous composer, but also is a superb singer. However, he didn’t present his best today. Maybe it was because he had to take care of both singing and the orchestra. When he had a wholesome sea of music, I don’t know why he just threw us a bucketful of it.”

Indeed, the walls of Academy hall on Saturday evening were surrounded by mellifluous modern Nepali music and some blues, jazz and rock n’ roll. The evening was even more special because the prominent composer Nhyoo Bajracharya came out as a singer with a voice that is unique in its own ways and suits all sorts of music arrangements.

Music is international and it has no language barrier. That was why French Ambassador to Nepal HE Gilles-Henry Garault was there to see different musical faces of Bajracharya.

“Yes, I can’t communicate in or understand your language. But music is just music. Allow me this opportunity to be a part of your musical ceremony,” the ambassador said while congratulating Bajracharya for his 25 successful years of musical journey.

While remembering the prominent composer’s contributions to Nepali music industry, the live concert unveiled how he has worked with several generations, starting from Aruna Lama, Prem Dhoj Pradhan and Yogesh Vaidya to Deepak Kharel, Deep Shrestha and Lochan Bhattarai and then Ramkrishna Dhakal, Satya/Swaroop Acharya, Ani Choying Dolma, and Ciney Gurung.

“His compositions are beautiful because he himself is a good singer. Today he has proved it to the world,” said media personality Robin Sharma, who is also a close friend of Bajracharyas.

When hundreds of people were having their own anticipations how the concert would be like, as they were to see Nhyoo Bajracharya singing live for the first time, the very composer was going through scary thoughts before the event started. No, he was not nervous or anything as such. All that troubled him before the show was “what if there’s a strike and halts the traffic movement on Saturday?”

“I feel blessed. Thank God, there was no strike today. You got to be lucky to get to organize an event without any political disturbances,” Bajracharya chuckled. “You really can’t have a hold on time. But 25 years have passed and I still feel 16. As we’re all in the mood to celebrate, let me offer you something similar to begin.”

He offered Jindagi Yo Ustav Ho as his first song for the evening which was composed by him and was written by Hari Chand Lamichhane. Soon after, he went on singing his popular compositions like O Mane Peme Ho, Orali Lageko, Aau Harau, Mann Dukhyo Re Unko, Kya Bore Bhayo and Kasto Yo Hamro Bhet Bho.

Most of the songs that he presented during the extravaganza were penned by lyricists Durga Lal Shrestha and Basanta Chaudhary. The major attraction of the show was Nhyoo Bajracharya mixing different musical flavors into his old compositions and giving them a complete new direction. For example, he changed the original composition of Orali Lageko, which was sung by Ramkrishna Dhakal. And with his new musical arrangement, the same song was a complete new package. His presentation of rock n’ roll and blues were well received by dozens in the audience. He was true when he said he still feels like 16 because his energy on the stage was outstanding. Bajracharya needs a special mention for attempting to create a different spectacle in his vocal; somewhat like Yogeshwar Amatya does while singing. His rock n’ roll bhajan Rama Rama was the show stealer.

In the orchestra, Gopal Rasaili was flawless on lead guitar, promising singer Tsujil Karmacharya was equally good with bass and chorus singing, Amul Karki Dhali’s saxophone created some magic, Raman Maharjan’s flute was spiritually soothing, and Rabin Karki Dhali’s notes on violin were neat and clean.

Not to miss were the solo performances by Nima Rumba, Satya Raj Acharya, Swaroop Raj Acharya, Ani Choying Dolma, and Ciney Gurung. They were equally mesmerizing and paid tributes to Nhyoo Bajracharya by singing his popular compositions. Ani Choying’s hit Phulko Ankhama wrapped up the event, prompting all in the audience to sing together the lines of the song.